Age of the Audience

Results of an audience study, showing a median age around 30

Sidelight: College students at the Boston Pops, in the 1930s and earlier

(from Margaret Grant and Herman S. Hettinger, America's Symphony Orchestras and How They Are Supported. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1940)

Age of the audience in the 1960s:

Results of a major foundation study: the median age was 38, for all the performing arts, and the authors ask why older people stop going to performing arts events (!).

(from William J. Baumol and William G. Bowen, Performing Arts: The Economic Dilemma. New York: Twentieth Century Press, 1966)

Richard A. Peterson, Pamela C. Hull, and Roger M. Kern, "Age and Arts Participation, 1982-1997"

 "1997 Survey of Participation in the Arts"

"2002 Survey of Participation in the Arts"

"Age and Arts Participation With a Focus on the Baby Boomers" (executive summary; shows a dramatic drop between 1982 and 1997 in the proportion of younger people at classical concerts)

"The Arts and Civic Engagement" (shows a steady decline in classical music attendance by younger people between 1982 and 2002)

(coming)